How often do you need a day off?
05-08-19, 04:31 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,930
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1819 Post(s)
Liked 1,696 Times
in
976 Posts
There are probably as many different answers as there are cyclists. Here is mine: Back when I was still working and commuting 60 km round trip to work every day along with weekend club rides I once rode 42 days in a row. Averaged well over 500 km per week. Felt better at the end of that stretch than I did at the beginning. However, I was careful to measure my efforts, since I was racing on weekends and had to make sure not to be tired on the start line. It helped that I had already been riding seriously for over 25 years at that point so I was aware of my limits. It worked pretty well, in racing I managed many podium spots at the Provincial masters level and a win in a time trial at the national championships. Some people thrive on a high workload, some others don't and have to train more specifically. For me, a daily cycling diet worked well. Also, I didn't have the discipline to stick to a strict training plan
05-08-19, 06:07 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
How often do you need a day off?
I was involved with this exchange on the thread, Rest vs Ride:
Still kinda new to biking on a regular basis. How much rest does the body need from it?
I know it's not as demanding on the body as heavy weightlifting where you need a day off, but also a bit harder than, say, hiking.
Can you bike 6-7 times a week, or is that too much? I realize that also depends on distance and effort. But trying to get a feel for how much is too much so that I don't over-do it.
I know it's not as demanding on the body as heavy weightlifting where you need a day off, but also a bit harder than, say, hiking.
Can you bike 6-7 times a week, or is that too much? I realize that also depends on distance and effort. But trying to get a feel for how much is too much so that I don't over-do it.
…It depends on your physical conditioning and they type of riding you do.
Agree with people who say "it depends". If you're leisurely riding an hour or less per day, there's no reason you'd probably need a recovery day.
If you're pushing that hour hard, or doing longer rides, a day off every few is probably a good idea. The line is going to vary a lot from person to person.
If you're pushing that hour hard, or doing longer rides, a day off every few is probably a good idea. The line is going to vary a lot from person to person.
…Adaptation to mileage happens when your legs can recover. …If you never rest you will possibly survive the ride, but you will lose capacity steadily.
If you are willing to take twice as long to ride to work for several days, that might give your legs enough of a rest. Might not.
Go ahead and do your weekend plan.
If you are willing to take twice as long to ride to work for several days, that might give your legs enough of a rest. Might not.
Go ahead and do your weekend plan.
05-10-19, 12:04 AM
#28
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
At 61, recovering from injuries and illness over the past year, I've cut back from 5-6 rides a week to 2-4, with only one hard workout ride. I needed more rest and recovery time. My average speeds/times on familiar 20-30 mile routes are about the same as this time last year, but I can't do it as often for now. My mileage is down from around 125 miles a week, 400-500 per month, to 50-75 a week.
05-10-19, 04:49 AM
#29
Senior Member
M-F I commute 12 miles per day. Additionally I run 30 miles per week. I also bike Tu and Th evenings about 20 miles each day, moderate to high intensity. Saturday is rest day. Sunday 50-75 miles, fairly easy pace. Not as much work I think as when I ran 80-100 miles per week, but I still need a rest day.
